Full-time comic artist

At that time, Yoshii Yamahisa was still grateful that his father had time to spend with him, but he did not expect his father's anxiety.

"This caused our family bank to fall like dominoes. If it weren't for my grandfather's help, the current Gucao Local Bank would have to merge with other banks."

This is also the way out for banks during economic crises.

In the manga/anime series "Hanzawa Naoki," the Industrial Central Bank and the Tokyo First Bank merge, and the merged entity is named the Tokyo Central Bank.

The reason is that after the economic crisis, a large number of non-performing loans dragged down the banks.

It is a shared memory of the entire era.

"The content of 'Hanzawa Naoki' really moved me."

Today, Yoshii Yamahisa has fully embraced his identity as a banker.

When he heard Hibiki Higashino recount the story of "Hanzawa Naoki," he felt deeply moved and regretted his actions.

“I really underestimated you,” Higashino Hibiki patted his shoulder. “Please continue.”

"Yes."

Hibiki Higashino took out his notebook and silently wrote it down.

……

The next day, Higashino Hibiki checked out of the hotel, said goodbye to Yoshii Yamahisa, and returned to Tokyo.

He had more confidence in "Hanzawa Naoki".

This work will resonate with the working class.

Being harassed by your boss and made a scapegoat is a common experience for many people.

Naoki Hanzawa grits his teeth, defies fate, and makes the bad guys kneel down and apologize—this will undoubtedly strike a chord with the souls of overworked office workers.

Like Ultraman Tiga and Evangelion, Hanzawa Naoki shares a similar advantage: it is grounded in its time and contains philosophical themes.

This will surely succeed.

Back home, Higashino Hibiki was ready to get started; he couldn't wait to draw manga.

……

"Tori Akino-sensei, Magical Girl Duel has been cancelled!"

However, he was interrupted by Koji Yoshida before he could finish drawing.

Yoshida arrived excitedly, bringing this news.

"Huh?" Hibiki Higashino looked up. "Duel? Oh, that's the manga."

He's almost forgotten about "Magical Girl Duel" and his mind is full of "Hanzawa Naoki".

"There's an announcement in Jump, teacher, didn't you know?"

"Because I haven't paid attention to this comic for a long time."

Since Magical Girl Duel changed its main storyline and lost its selling points, focusing instead on dark and gritty themes, Hibiki Higashino hasn't read this manga anymore.

At the New Year's party, he chatted with Hiroshi Motomiya for a long time and didn't have the energy to go find Ryuzawa, who drew the manga.

He still had some things he wanted to say.

After deciding to draw "Hanzawa Naoki", he completely forgot about "Duel".

If Yoshida hadn't mentioned it, this manga would never have entered Hibiki Higashino's life.

“Cut in half…” Higashino murmured, “It really will be cut in half.”

A comic that relies on opportunism is likely to bore readers. If the dark and cruel elements fail to reach the readers' threshold, then the comic will come to an end.

"It's a real shame. I wanted to offer some words of comfort to Mr. Longze, but he went astray. A work should be based on its own strengths."

“That’s right.” Yoshida nodded.

The anime adaptation of "Puella Magi Madoka Magica" is about to air, and the manga has ended—how ironic!

……

The next day, the village editor brought two assistants.

They were all middle-aged men, like Xiaohe, who were veterans who had worked as assistants to cartoonists for a long time.

I dedicated my youth to Weekly Youth Jump.

It hasn't been long since the serialization of "Hanzawa Naoki" was confirmed.

The assistants were all very professional and were a great help to Higashino Hibiki.

The editorial department of Young Jump was always responsive to Hibiki Higashino's requests and for "Hanzawa Naoki," sending all their capable staff to help.

It was much better than the treatment Hibiki Higashino received in Weekly Shonen Jump.

"Thank you, editor Hibiki Higashino." Higashino nodded gratefully.

“It’s alright, it’s what I should do,” Xiang nodded and said, “Teacher, you can just call me Xiang.”

The editor left quickly, unlike Yoshida who preferred to stay in the studio.

He didn't disturb the comic creation, coming and going in a hurry, demonstrating a high level of professionalism.

……

Time passed little by little.

The first chapter of "Hanzawa Naoki" will be published in two weeks.

Weekly Young Jump made this news a hot topic.

The website is full of related ads and topics.

"Is Akino Mirai serialized in 'Weekly Shonen Jump'? Will she draw erotic content?"

"Ah! I was obsessed with the feet he drew when I read 'The Garden of Words'! They were as beautiful as white jade, and they were full of desire and longing. My heart was stolen."

One of the main points of Weekly Young Jump is that it includes sex and love, so it's no wonder that readers have a lot to think about.

This comic magazine was already borderline, and even the comic covers featured photos of celebrities.

If placed on a bookshelf, it might be considered a bad book by parents.

This is also a major reason why the circulation of Shonen Jump surpasses that of Weekly Shonen Sunday, exceeding 100 million copies.

"Hanzawa Naoki... I can't tell what kind of story it is, I'm really looking forward to it."

"Hurry up and get to April 7th! Hey! Is this some kind of April Fool's joke? Don't play me, you jerk!"

……

"Huh? There's such a thing?"

While working, Kuriyama Minami was struggling with the code when she heard her colleague's surprised voice.

He walked over and asked with a smile, "Is the code not working after you deleted the bug?"

“Of course not, I’m not a newbie.” Gui Tou Kai shook his head and pointed to the computer. “Look here.”

"Oh! You're secretly reading light novels at work, aren't you! The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya."

“That’s not what I meant,” Ghost Head said, pointing to the advertisement. “Here, here.”

"A new work by Tori Akino Mirai, an explosion is coming?"

Looking at the name, Kuriyama Minami was filled with emotion. "This is the author of 'Hikaru no Go' and 'Slam Dunk,' right? I really liked his manga when I was in school. But what's wrong with that?"

After graduating, he finished reading "Slam Dunk" and stopped paying attention to shonen manga.

One reason is that shonen manga can't provide him with the same level of excitement, and the other is that he doesn't have the time.

He was so exhausted from work that he could only squeeze out time to watch Parasyte and Berserk.

He didn't pay attention to Torino's works after Death Note and Puella Magi Madoka Magica.

There is a chasm between adolescence and adulthood.

Their social circles involve discussions of various works. As a person grows up, the topics they discuss with their friends are no longer Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf, but rather things like "A Guide to Customs in Another World".

The same goes for Minami Kuriyama.

As they grew up, they put down Weekly Shonen Jump and Akino Mirai.

However, he picked up another magazine from Shueisha, Weekly Young Jump, and read the bloody and violent novel Gantz.

Shueisha will never lose out.

"Tori Akino-sensei will be publishing a manga in Weekly Young Jump."

"Huh! Really?"

Kuriyama Minami's reaction was exactly the same as Kito Kai's.

They were equally shocked and excited.

Seeing familiar names again after entering adulthood and society brings back memories and happy childhood times.

They were reminded of the anime "Hikaru no Go," and the sorrow of Fujiwara no Sai after he became a Buddha.

It reminds me of "Slam Dunk". Shohoku's dream of dominating the country remained in that summer of hard work. Reaching the top 16 is a regret that I still feel now.

"Mm." Ghost Head nodded deeply.

"Then I have to read it. Tori Akino-sensei's seinen manga must be outstanding."

If it can bring them even one-tenth of the joy they experienced in their childhood, that will be enough.

"Tori Akino-sensei's manga is always very interesting."

The two of them were having a pleasant conversation.

We agreed to watch "Hanzawa Naoki" on April 7th.

Team leader Matsushita happened to be passing by and witnessed this scene.

He coughed forcefully, his gaze sharp.

"I'm sorry." After apologizing, Kuriyama Minami returned to her seat, sat up straight, and looked at the computer.

Kuriyama Minami finally breathed a sigh of relief after getting off work at 5 p.m.